The Fuzzy Navel recipe has been around for ages and is a combination of peach schnapps and fresh orange juice. While making this peachy drink is super simple, the trick is to balance the flavors to get it juuuuust right. Serve a sweet and tangy Fuzzy Navel on a relaxing afternoon with friends or as a new addition to your brunch menu.
Fuzzy Navel Recipe
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
Add peach schnapps and orange juice to an ice-filled cocktail shaker
02
Shake well for at least 15 seconds
03
Strain into a chilled glass filled with ice
04
Garnish with a slice of peach or a twist of orange peel
Short (and sweet!) history of the Fuzzy Navel
The 1980s were a time of big hair, neon lights, and cocktails that were more about fun than finesse. Enter the Fuzzy Navel, a two-ingredient wonder that perfectly captured the era’s spirit. But unlike many of its sugary brethren, the Fuzzy Navel boasts a surprisingly clear-cut origin story intertwined with the rise of a new flavor in the American market: peach schnapps.
In 1984, DeKuyper introduced its Peachtree Schnapps to the US, offering bartenders a sweet and playful new ingredient. Around the same time, New Jersey bartender Ray Foley (known for his book Bartending for Dummies) saw the potential of this fuzzy fruit liqueur. Taking inspiration from the popular Screwdriver (vodka and orange juice), Foley experimented with a simpler, fruitier alternative. The result? A delightful mix of peach schnapps and orange juice that became a nationwide sensation.
The Fuzzy Navel’s easy recipe and refreshing taste quickly propelled it to bar menus everywhere. It wasn’t just the drink that gained fame, though. DeKuyper’s Peachtree Schnapps saw a meteoric rise in sales, solidifying its place as a best-selling spirit thanks in part to this iconic concoction.
More inspo: 22 Zesty Orange Juice Cocktails For Every Occasion and Season
Fuzzy Navel vs. Hairy Navel
Craving a fruity cocktail with a bit more bite? Look no further than the Hairy Navel, a twist on the classic Fuzzy Navel. This drink combines the sweet charm of peach schnapps and orange juice with a kick of vodka. To make your own Hairy Navel, simply fill a glass with ice, pour in one part vodka, one part peach schnapps, and top it all off with two parts orange juice. Stir it up, garnish with an orange slice if desired, and enjoy!
Zesty besties: 14 Cocktails with Orange Liqueur That Zest the Best
How to make a Fuzzy Navel shot
Want a concentrated burst of the Fuzzy Navel’s peachy goodness? Try the Fuzzy Navel shot! This mini drink combines equal parts peach schnapps and orange juice in a shot glass for a simple yet potent twist on the classic. For a layered presentation, add a splash of grenadine first, then carefully pour the schnapps and orange juice to create a vibrant tricolor effect. Enjoy this fruity pick-me-up chilled, and remember to adjust the schnapps to orange juice ratio if you prefer a milder shot.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This delightful cocktail is all about sweet and refreshing simplicity. It combines equal parts peach schnapps, a fruit-flavored liqueur with a fuzzy peach flavor, and orange juice for a citrusy counterpoint.
The Hairy Navel builds upon the Fuzzy Navel's foundation by adding vodka. While the proportions can vary, typically it involves one part vodka to the existing two-part combination of peach schnapps and orange juice.
The name is a lighthearted play on the drink's ingredients! "Fuzzy" refers to the fuzzy skin of a peach, reflecting the peach schnapps. "Navel" is a nod to the navel orange, a common type used for orange juice in this drink.
The exact origin story remains a bit fuzzy, but Ray Foley, a bartender and author of "Bartending for Dummies," is widely credited with popularizing the Fuzzy Navel in the 1980s.
